A SENIOR Matabeleland South magistrate has castigated police for detaining suspects beyond the maximum two days as stipulated by the new Constitution, saying the courts would deal with such errant officers in future.
Albert Ncube Own Correspondent
Provincial magistrate Douglas Vakayi Chikwekwe took a swipe at Inspector Smart Siziba, the member-in-charge of Guyu Police Station, after a suspected stockthief was detained for four days without being brought to court.
“You know well what the law says about detention as we have held meetings with you on the issue,” Chikwekwe said.
“How would you feel if you are over detained yourself? Next time the courts will not tolerate this and will embarrass you. You should check your detention book regularly. Do not do it again.
“I am warning you because this is not the first time that this has happened and that’s why I called you,” Chikwekwe added.
In his response, Siziba said the incident was unfortunate and he had not applied for a warrant for further detention as there had been some miscommunication between police officers on patrol who arrested the suspect and those at the station.
He said Guyu Police Station did not have a landline and officers there relied on their cellphones which often lost network connection. Under the new Constitution, any person arrested or detained for any alleged offence and is not released, must be taken to court not later than 48 hours after being detained whether or not that period ends on a Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday.
- Chamisa under fire over US$120K donation
- Mavhunga puts DeMbare into Chibuku quarterfinals
- Pension funds bet on Cabora Bassa oilfields
- Councils defy govt fire tender directive
Keep Reading
It also states that any person not brought to court within the stipulated period must be released immediately unless the person’s detention has been extended by a competent court.
